"Shark" (2006) TV series 2006-2008

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Creator:

Ian Biederman

Seasons:

1 | 2

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Tagline:

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the courthouse.

Plot:

Title character Sebastian Stark is an L.A. hot-shot lawyer, who leaves his lucrative career as defender...

Plot Keywords:

Lawyer | District Attorney | Court | Attorney | Trial

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 2 nominations

Cast

James Woods	...	Sebastian Stark (38 episodes, 2006-2008)
Danielle Panabaker	...	Julie Stark (38 episodes, 2006-2008)
Sophina Brown	...	Raina Troy (38 episodes, 2006-2008)
Sarah Carter	...	Madeleine Poe (38 episodes, 2006-2008)
Jeri Ryan	...	Jessica Devlin (38 episodes, 2006-2008)
Henry Simmons	...	Isaac Wright (32 episodes, 2006-2008)
Sam Page	...	Casey Woodland (22 episodes, 2006-2007)
Kevin Alejandro	...	Danny Reyes (16 episodes, 2007-2008)

Runtime:

Argentina:60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Singapore:M18 (season 1) | Argentina:16 | Netherlands:12 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

2315 Live Oaks Meadow Road, Malibu, California, USA

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

When actor Sam Page decided not to come back to the series as Casey Woodland, the departure of his character was explained by saying that Casey was helping his father, who is a US Senator, work on his election campaign though it's not explained what his father is running for.

Quotes:

Casey Woodland: I didn't know that.
Sebastian Stark: You should have that put on a t-shirt.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "That Mitchell and Webb Look: (#2.2)" (2008)

Woods sets it apart

Shark is a classy, although formulaic investigative/courtroom drama series joining a host of similar efforts coming out of the States, such as CSI, Boston Legal, Law and Order and so on. The premise is nice....former top defence lawyer turned champion of the people for self-redemption...and the performances, scripts, production etc is of the high standard one would expect in this well proved line. But what sets it apart and propels it to a different level is James Woods. Better casting for the part of the sharp, supremely confident and wise-cracking ("Don't shoot, this is a new suit")lawyer is impossible to imagine. In fact it is because he is so good that I rate the series as a 9 and not a 10. How does that work? Well, without Wood's brilliance the few scenes in which he does not appear seem unduly flat and tame by comparison. Unfair, I know, but Woods is that good.

Sadly, the series is a one trick pony (crime-suspect-twist-shark prevails) which means it can't run forever, so get it while you can and immerse yourself in witnessing a true master of his craft revelling in a vehicle tailor made for his talents.